James Kenan’s Peter Omega back heels a pass to an open team during a recent game. The Tigers are 4-0-0 after shutting out North Johnston, 5-0, on Thursday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
KENLY — James Kenan’s continued its early-season, defensive domination Thursday evening.
The Tigers recorded their fourth consecutive shutout, 5-0 over North Johnston on the Ben Strifert Stadium pitch.
Five players notched one goal apiece – Kebert David, Edier Ruiz, Ronald Ramirez, Francisco Roldan and Isaias Ruiz.
“I was pleased with our performance, although I think we played better the first match [against North Johnston],” Kenan head coach Mitchell Quinn said. “The grass was kind of high, which slowed the ball down, which kind threw us off our game. The first half was kind of sluggish, but we were able to come out the second half and play much better.”
Quinn said missing two starters attributed to the sluggish opening half.
James Kenan (4-0-0 overall) travels to Southeastern Athletic 8 powerhouse Clinton on Sept. 9.
Rebels avenge loss
WARSAW — Turnabout is fair play.
Eight days after losing a five-set match against James Kenan on its home court, North Duplin returned the favor Thursday evening.
Tateyawna Faison and Eva Quintanilla cranked out a career-high 13 kills apiece during the Rebels’ 16-25, 25-22, 22-25, 26-24, 15-8 triumph inside Harmon Gymnasium.
Faison added five blocks, while Maggie Brown turned in a nine-kill performance. North Duplin logged 42 kills and a season-best .422 hitting percentage as a team.
Libero Marissa Bernal emerged as the defensive leader with 18 digs. Iala Overton contributed 10 digs, while M’Chelle Jaco and Ady Spence each provided six digs.
Bernal served four aces.
Lilly Fulghum passed out a career-high 31 assists, eclipsing her previous best of 28 set last season against Union. The junior served four aces.
Y’Anna Rivers and Ava Jones paced the Tigers’ offense with nine kills apiece. Jourdan Joe added seven kills. Kenan pounded out 35 kills as a team.
Shylah Sloan served a team-best nine aces. Sienna Pender contributed four aces, while Alayjah Wright collected four. The Tigers logged 24 aces as a team.
Wright and Jazmine Lopez each registered four digs defensively. Sloan provided three digs.
North Duplin (3-3 overall) begins a stretch of four consecutive home games next Tuesday against Lejeune. The Rebels entertain Spring Creek on Sept. 5 and launch their Carolina 1A season five days later against Neuse Charter.
James Kenan (4-3) starts East Central 2A Conference at home next Tuesday against East Duplin.
SW drops QCC match
BENSON — Senior setter Taylor Lee dished out 11 assists during Southern Wayne’s 16-25, 18-25, 11-25 loss at Quad County 3A volleyball foe West Johnston on Thursday evening.
Jy’Asha Cousins provided two kills and six blocks. Mylee Wiggs delivered three kills, while Morgan Brimberry served four aces.
The Saints (2-4 overall, 0-2 QCC) return home Sept. 3 against Wilson Hunt.
Clinton shuts down Gators
CLINTON — Six Clinton players accounted for at least one goal apiece during a 7-0, non-conference triumph over Spring Creek on the soccer pitch Thursday evening.
Griffin Williams tallied a team-leading two goals for the Dark Horses, who remained unbeaten (6-0-0) this season. Seavy Jordan doled out two assists.
The Dark Horses recorded their fourth shutout of the season and improved to 9-3-0 against the Gators since 2017.
Spring Creek (2-4-1) returns home Sept. 5 for an outing against reigning Eastern Plains 2A champ Greene Central. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at “The Swamp.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
